Chico Malo to Open in CityScape

Photo by: Chico Malo

Looking at an April opening, Chico Malo is set to open in Downtown Phoenix in the former spot of The Corner at 50 W. Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85004 just behind the Grabbagreen.  According to Chico Malo,

"Chico Malo, a lively take on Mexican cooking, opens at CityScape this spring. Culture Shock Hospitality will bring the heat in DTPHX with breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch with an array of flavor combinations from all over South America. Expect highlights including ceviche, street corn, chilaquiles and tiraditos, a Peruvian crudo. Diners can also build their own guacamole or choose from a lengthy lineup of taco options." 

This is Culture Shock Hospitality's first restaurant and it will be interesting to see how the location does after The Corner's struggles.  One of the big draws is certain to be the fact that this will be the only restaurant in the area offering South American fare.

An additional note, if you are looking for work, Chico Malo is starting interviews tomorrow, March 9, where they will be hiring 125 employees.

Five New Restaurants Around the Phoenix Area

Pete's Thai Cuisine - Located at 12032 N. Cave Creek Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85020, Pete's has a diverse menu with over 80 items to order.  Open from 11:30am - 9pm, Sunday - Thursday and 11:30am to 10pm on Friday and Saturday, a lunch buffet is offered from 11:30am - 3:30pm Sunday - Friday.  More at AZCentral.

Amalfi Pizzeria - Opening in December at Chandler Heights Rd. & Alma School Rd., according to the East Valley Tribune, "The authentic Italian menu will feature fresh, made-from scratch bread, pasta, pizza and more."

North - Sam Fox' second North restaurant in the valley opened on November 14 at 4925 N. 40th St. Phoenix, AZ 85018. According to AZCentral, "Unlike the five other Norths...the Arcadia North won't follow corporate's modern Italian template. Instead, (Chef) Curtiss has gone more traditional, and less fussy. 'It's my stripped-down interpretation of regional Italian cuisine,' says Curtiss, whose father is Italian. The fare is "really simple and fresh."

O.H.S.O. Eatery + nanoBrewery - Recently opened at 4900 E. Indian School Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85018, the eatery will have a classic American feel with a touch of South American. AZcentral has more information, including the fact that nobody knows what "O.H.S.O." stands for.

Caldero - Taking over the spot where Banana Leaf Asian Bistro was at 7111 E. Thomas Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85257, Caldero will have, "traditional recipes spanning from Mayan to North Mexican." AZCentral has a good list of menu items.  The stated hours on Caldero's Facebook page are 11am to 2am daily.

Additional Restaurants Coming to Scottsdale this Fall

Back in July, the AZFoodDude reported on some new restaurants moving into Scottsdale. Now, over the past couple weeks, there has been news of even more openings...

Twin Peaks - Claiming to have "Eats, Drinks, and Scenic Views," Twin Peaks is moving into the location where Earl's was for 14 years at 15784 N. Pima Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85260. Slated to open later in the fall, this will be the first time the Twin Peaks Girls (the scenic views) will be serving up their American comfort food in Arizona. The Dallas-based restaurant has locations in five other states.

Inca's Peruvian Cuisine - AZCentral reports the restaurant serving up South American cuisine will be opening up their second restaurant at 7325 E. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd. Scottsdale, AZ 85254 this fall, with the original being in Tucson at 6878 E. Sunrise Dr. Tucson, AZ 85750. With such a diverse menu, comprising elements of pre-Inca, Inca, Spanish, Basque, African, Cantonese, Japanese, Italian, French and British cooking, Inca's Peruvian Cuisine is hoping to make its Peruvian cuisine a hit in Scottsdale.

Distrito - Looking to open in October, Distrito will be located in the newly named, Drinkwater Hotel (most recently called Hotel Theodore) at 4000 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Scottsdale, AZ 85251. Jose Garces, a winner on Iron Chef America last year, is being brought in by the owners of the hotel to get the ball rolling on the upcoming restaurant. There is already a Distrito in Philadelphia and the menu will be generally the same except, "Unique to Scottsdale...will be Mexican barbecue (barbacoa), slow-cooked meats roasted in a patio smoke pit. Garces is promising adobo-rubbed beef brisket; pork spare ribs with chipotle-cider mustard barbecue sauce; and Yucatán-style rotisserie chicken with an orange guajillo chile glaze."